May 1: Legal Hurdles, Lack of Infrastructure Hamper Shale Boom in MexicoThe shale boom in the American Southwest may be a juggernaut, yet a scant few miles across the border in Mexico, where similar untapped shale plays are likely, the boom in production is still “mañana.” A new report in The Economist cites unfavorable legislation and lack of infrastructure for the painfully sluggish advancement. Read more.

April 30: Pro-Shale Rally Set for HarrisburgWhile some Pennsylvania residents and environmental groups staunchly oppose fracking, local unions and laborers are clamoring for industry expansion. In support of the pro-shale contingent, the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) is finalizing plans for a major rally in support of shale gas production in Pennsylvania’s state Capitol on May 6. Read more.

Watch a video from a 2011 rally:

April 25: Baker Hughes to Disclose Fracking Chemicals; Halliburton Holds BackThe debate on disclosing fracking chemical formulas has been a hot-button issue for decades. Environmentalists demand that the public be made aware of potential exposure risks, while oil and gas companies have historically cited “protecting trade secrets” as the driving force behind nondisclosure. In recent news industry giants Halliburton and Baker Hughes have taken very different tacks in regard to the issue. Read more.

April 23: Joint Study Between UK and Poland to Focus on Emissions and EconomicsWith the EU currently hammering out a climate change package that will effectively regulate greenhouse gas emissions until 2030, only Great Britain and Poland have thus far championed the case for fracking. In January, the two countries pledged to work together to oppose further industry regulation, and this week, announced plans for a joint research study to analyze how to best exploit the potential of shale gas in their own countries, and across the EU. Read more.

The Pennsylvania rally should be interesting considering there will be an environmental protest happening nearby. Also did anyone notice the comments on the article. It’s all from people worried about environmental repercussions of fracking. Hope it’s not a disaster in the making.